A chance for Spain to equalise was squandered when David Villa latched onto a defence-splitting pass but rounded Hart too far and hit the sidenetting with an off-balance shot in the 55th.

The Spanish kept up the pressure but lacked ruthlessness in front of goal.

Scott Parker was also snuffing out many of their attacks, including blocking Fabregas' attempt to square to Gerard Pique in the 82nd.

Fabregas came close himself, though, on his return to London after leaving Arsenal in August. The Barcelona midfielder, on the turn, had a shot saved by Hart after Phil Jagielka's intervention took the sting out of the attempt, then swept the ball wide within a minute.

England earned the victory without star striker Wayne Rooney. Capello assessed Danny Welbeck and Bent in preparation for Rooney missing the three Euro 2012 group stage matches after being banned by UEFA.